Trinity talks trash trucks

By Tony Farkas
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TRINITY — With an aging and mostly broke-down fleet of garbage trucks making service spotty, the Trinity City Council has opted to begin leasing new vehicles to solve its trash problems.
City Manager Steven Jones said that at the Jan. 10 meeting, council members approved leasing a 25-yard trash truck through Rush Trucking of San Antonio at a cost of $5,100 per month.
“On a four-year average, we were spending $4,300 a month on purchase and repairs of our fleet, which does not include tires and other regular maintenance,” Jones said. “(All that money) would get us three unreliable trucks.”
Currently, the city has two 20-yard trucks and one 25-yard truck. Of those, one of the smaller trucks needs an engine replacement and the larger truck has high mileage and trouble with loading.
Leasing a new truck would be more reliable, and maintenance and breakdowns will be covered by warranty, Jones said.
“Hopefully this will provide uninterrupted service,” he said.
In a separate matter, the city discussed a sidewalk grant it has received, and that work is expected to start next month.
Given that work is expected to start in February, the city will start advertising for a contractor.
The grant is for $500,000 with a $75,000 match from the city. Plans include installing a new sidewalk on Railroad Street from Highway 94 to Brookshire Brothers, and well as widening the street to make it safer.
Jones said that if there are any affected water and sewer lines, they will be replaced as well.
In other business, the city:
•discussed an upgrade to the city’s camera system.